evie

"You love her." Beverly stated like it was the simplest thing ever, licking her ice cream. Richie's face immediately turned bright red as he shook his head and did an awkward fake laugh. The whole group raised an eyebrow at him, none of them falling for his terrible acting.

"I do not. Richie Tozier doesn't fall in love he only plays with a girls heart." Eddie snorted making Richie's face turn an even deeper shade if that was even possible. He gulped awkwardly folding his arms across his chest. "It's true."

"So when she smiles your heart doesn't immediately beat faster?" He swallowed and said no, his voice slightly cracking making Beverly wink at him. Stan cleared his throat and Richie knew he was about to have a quick fire round of questions.

"What's your name?"

"Richie Tozier."

"What's your girlfriends name?"

"yn ln."

"What's her middle name?"

"mn"

"Favorite food?"

"Cheerios."

"Her boyfriends name?"

"Rich-"

"Do you love her?"

"No! No stop Stan. I don't fall in love I break hearts." Stan rolled his eyes but stepped back knowing he wouldn't get an answer out of Richie at that moment. Bill looked uncomfortable and Richie slightly cringed at himself knowing he sounded harsh.

"Well then I say we get going." Eddie declared having enough of the awkwardness. The rest of the group agreed turning around to head towards the park. Richie almost followed before remembering Lori still getting her ice cream.

"Hey guys! Wait for yn!" Eddie waved back st him a smug grin on his face. They planned something. Also where was Beverly. Richie sighed and learned against the wall fixing his glasses. The sound of two girls laughing made him look down the road.

yn was walking towards him with Beverly. She had an ice cream in her hand that Beverly was trying to steal which was why they were both laughing. However what made Richie's heart beat faster was the fact one of his button ups was thrown on top of her t shirt from earlier. Fuck he thought as yn landed beside him a bright smile on her face and an even brighter sparkle in her eyes.

"Hi. Did you miss me?" Richie's mouth went dry meaning instead of saying something perverted or dumb he could just nod making yn giggle slightly. She held out her hand that wasn't reserved for the ice cream she finally got off Beverly for him to take. "Ready? Bev said they went to the park without us."

Richie just nodded again his cheeks slightly pink as yn took his hands in hers. Beverly smiled at him from behind as yn began skipping down the path telling him how Beverly snuck up on her while she was paying. Richie finally found his breath again and he smiled nodding at the shirt girl beside him.

Alright ln your test is in two days better start studying now she thought flicking the book open, randomly landing on a page about stars. She began to read taking notes in a small notebook she brought before she heard something that made her look up.

Across the table the boy was singing quietly to himself while also taking notes. Even from where yn was she could tell he was good and put her pen down to hear him better. The boy didn't notice and kept singing what yn recognized to be "Buddy Holly" under his breath while still flicking through the book. yn didn't realize she was staring until he looked up and met her eyes.

The boy blinked back  at her with light brown eyes and yn felt herself go bright red. The boy stopped singing and looked back at her with a similar red tint spreading across his cheeks. Neither spoke or looked away till yn cleared her throat.

"That was good. The singing I mean not me staring." The boy turned a deeper red and shook his head, closing his notebook and leaning across the table to get a closer look at yn. From his new position yn could clearly see black curls peeking out from his hood and a splash of freckles on his face.

"No its fine it's not everyday you get stared at by a pretty girl with pretty eyes." It was yn's turn to shake her head as she leaned forwards too, almost out of instinct, a small smile tugging at her lips.

"So you like Weezer then?"

"Oh yeah. Not as much as Nirvana though have you heard of them?" yn laughed slightly making the boy smile back at her.

"Have I? My best friend always plays it. It gets really annoying honestly."

"Oh yeah? Well I think I like your best friend." ♠︎

yn stood up and stretched the clock on the wall behind her now reading half four. Derrys library still closed at five meaning she had to leave soon. The boy who had moved beside her to quiz her on the Big Bang looked up at her and frowned.

"Leaving so soon?"

"Soon?! I've been here since one o clock and you were here even earlier! I think it's the perfectly normal time to leave." The boy rolled his eyes and picked up her pink notebook holding it towards her. yn smiled and took it from her before picking up her bomber jacket and turning to leave. It was only when she was up the road she realized she hadn't got his name.

yn ran back towards the brick building throwing open the double doors and yelling at him. "Hey wait what's your name?"

The boy looked back at her his face immediately turning into a smile once he saw the girl standing there her hair slightly frizzled from running down the road. "Richie Tozier."

yn nodded happy to now have a name to the face before she yelled back again not noticing the old librarian waddling her way towards her. "yn ln."

"Excuse me young lady what do you think you're doing? This is a library you know!" yn finally noticed the old lady standing beside her, hands on hips and glasses slightly tilting down as she glared at her. yn gulped and stuttered, trying to think of a response. When none came to her mind she dashed back out the door, hearing loud laughter from Richie and yelling from the woman who told her to be quiet.

Once she was by the statue outside the library she leaned against it trying to catch her breath and stop laughing. "Hey babe? What are you doing tomorrow?"

yn looked around before her eyes landed on the boy from earlier now strolling towards her with a smirk on his face. yn smiled back crossing her arms and raising an eyebrow. "Why would you like to know?"

"Great I'll pick you up at eight. See you then Mary Tyler Moore." Richie gave her a wink before walking down the road in the opposite direction of her house. yn waited until she was sure he was far enough away to squeal and jump up and down, feeling like a toddler instead of the eighteen year old she was.

Until she remembered the boy didn't know her address. Sighing as she pulled her coat closer to her she ran after him yelling at the top of her lungs.

yn ln was never shy with her tattoo. In fact ever since she was five she showed anyone who would look, the glasses on the inside of her wrist. Even when she got older and most people had already seen it she didn't cover it like others did, instead never wearing anything that covered her wrist.

Her best friends were the same. Audra made a point of showing the paper boat on her wrist to everyone she met and Beverly never covered the little book on hers even in the winter.

That's partly why Audra found her soulmate Bill Denbrough so quick. The average age was around sixteen but Audra ran into and fell in love with Bill at thirteen after she saw him practicing making paperboats in the library. He had a rose on his wrist like the one Audra wore everyday as a hair clip.

Beverly found her match in the library too. He had his nose in a book and a fire symbol on his wrist representing Beverly's fiery red hair. By fourteen both of yn's friends found their soulmates. She longed to have hers as well so the double dates could become triple dates and she could stop taking double takes at everyone with large glasses. But it wasn't until senior year she ran into a boy with neat brown hair and a small smile she met her soulmate.

☾

"So that leaves me with yn ln and Eddie Kaspbark." The teacher tapped her clipboard with her pen before nodding and looking back at her class of bored students. "Pair up come on no one here bites."

yn rolled her eyes subtly from her seat near the front and looked around for the boy she was paired with. Eddie Kaspbark. She had heard of him mostly from him being friends with the most annoying boy in school, Richie Tozier. His dark brown eyes met hers from a few rows back presumably looking for her as well. Spotting the empty seat next to him yn swung her pastel bag over her shoulder and carried her pencil case to the spot making a small "oof" as she sat down.

Eddie smiled slightly at the short hc girl as she sat beside him, dropping her bag on the floor by his legs and pencil case at his hand. She finally looked back at him with her eyes that always seemed to have layers of mascara on that more often than not clumped together.

"So Kaspbark any idea on what to do for this project?" He shrugged having not thought about it at all and swiveled into his chair. yn leaned onto the table and tapped her pencil off of it biting her lip as she thought. He saw her eyes gaze around the room before landing on the glasses imprinted on her wrist. His eyes widened at first as he almost recognized them but he quickly shook it off deciding there was absolutely no way his idea was at all logical.

"Well we could do about the whole soulmates thing. Mrs. Mayfield did leave it vague enough for that to be possible. Plus I don't really know much about them aside from the basics honestly."

"You? You don't know much about them?" Eddie asked almost not believing the small girl. She had a reputation to flaunt her tattoo and her two best friends had found their soulmates. How was it possible she hadn't read up on them? Still even if he didn't believe her she shrugged the light blue denim jacket almost sliding off her boney shoulders.

"Just because I like them doesn't mean I'm obsessed. What's yours?" Eddie blinked back at the girl the question not fully comprehending in his head till she shuffled awkwardly.

"M-My what?"

"Your tattoo? Duh." She laughed now her tongue sticking between her teeth as she did. Eddie decided he liked it when she laughed and vowed to try and make her laugh more throughout their three week project. He rolled the sleeve of the oversized beige cardigan slung over his shoulders up holding it towards the blonde girl. She traced the small pattern on his wrist with her pointer finger making sure not to press too hard.

"Birds." She said with a hint of uncertainty in her voice. Eddies tattoo wasn't as clear as others she had seen being more abstract in look. He nodded and pulled his hand back slowly once she stopped tracing it almost wanting to ask her to keep going since it was soothing. "It's cute. Different. I wonder what your soulmate will have to do with birds?"

Eddie smiled a real proper smile back at her for the first time since they had been partnered together. He nodded only slightly not taking his eyes off the small splash of freckles across the girls button nose. She smiled back her teeth showing and tongue sticking between the gap between her front again.

"Yeah...." His voice was softer than usual as he responded. "I do too." He could almost feel the rest of the noisy classroom melt away as yn gulped back and went to say something.

"I-I...."

A shrill sound ring out from behind Eddie that caused the class to cheer and scramble together their supplies as Mrs. Mayfield left the room bringing her empty cup of coffee with her.

"Oh that's the bell." She changed her mind last second pulling her jacket back up and picking her bag off the wooden science room floor. Eddie slunk back in his seat and packed his pencil case cursing the bell mentally for not letting her finish.

"So you should come around to mine after school. I have a laptop we can do research there." Eddie nodded watching the girl leave the short white skirt flowing around her legs before he realized something and called her name making the whole class turn to look at him.

"yn!"

"Yes?" He swallowed ignoring the twenty pairs of eyes on him trying to focus only on yn's ec ones.

"Well umm... I don't have your address." His cheeks now had a small tint of red spreading across them as yn laughed and made her way back to his table. He felt the other students eyes drift off to other places the only ones still watching him being yn's friend Audra.

"Do you perhaps have a piece of paper at your disposal?" She asked in a britsh accent trying to calm the tension she has felt build after Eddie called after her. Eddie scrambled around in his bag before handing her a small crumpled piece of paper to write on. She clicked down a biro and scribbled her address down in scrawled cursive before handing it to Eddie. He nodded back stuffing it into the front of his bag as the girl made her way to her impatient brunette friend now calling her name.

"Bye Eds!" She threw over her shoulder as she left the classroom before breaking into a giggling conversation with Audra who went a few looks Eddies way. He sighed and fell back onto his seat running his hands through his hair.

"Eddie spaghetti! There you are! Started getting worried you ran off." His friend with black curly hair yelled at him as he strolled into the class receiving many eye rolls from the few remaining students. "Come on man lets go to lunch."

☾

yn made finishing touches to the PowerPoint as Eddie corrected her grammar mistakes on their conclusion beside her. The only noise that was heard in the girls room being her typing and his writing after her speaker died midway through a Taylor Swift marathon. "Hey ln?"

yn hummed in response not looking up from the screen until she heard Eddies writing stop as he sighed. He looked worried and fiddled with the hem of the polo shirt he wore that day. "Yes?"

"Do you think we'll still be friends when this is over?" yn closed the laptop down setting it aside so she could turn to fully face the dark haired boy she could now consider a friend.She held out her pinky a happy glint in her usual gloomy eyes covered in mascara.

"Let's pinky promise on it. I do kinda like hanging out with someone not kissing their dumb soulmate every ten seconds for a change." Eddie put his own pinky up allowing to girl to connect them. Eddie could almost feel her climb towards him slowly.

"And I like talking to someone who doesn't do stupid accents and make inappropriate jokes every ten seconds." yn smiled not letting go of Eddies pinky and getting closer till his phone made a noise beginning to vibrate. She jumped back nearly falling off her bed as Eddie picked it up sighing as he saw the name on the screen.

"Speaking of the devil it's Richie. I'll just tell him to-"

"No!" yn said quickly before Eddie could click the decline button. "No. We need a break and we could have some fun with him. From what I've heard he's a great conversationalist."

Eddie groaned and shook his head as he tapped the accept button warning yn she'd regret it as the familiar face of his best friend came on screen. "Hey douchebag why is your room pink?"

"No-Richie I'm with yn. We have a science project together right." yn watched the boy on screen nod in sudden realization feeling his eyes look at her instead.

"Oh yeah the ln girl. Hey what's the deal with your tattoo? Everyone else seems to have seen it but me." yn sighed and moved closer to Eddie on the bed so she could see the boy properly instead of just from the distance

"Well I heard you were annoying and a trashmouth and neither of which are things I like." She pulled the sleeve of her pale pink sweater up holding the glasses towards the camera. Eddie watched in silence hoping it wouldn't go the way he thought it would. "It's just glasses could be anyone really."

yn could see Richie's eyes clearly widen even though the quality of the screen wasn't the best wasn't the best. He leaned away from the screen and she heard scrambling around and cursing wearing large rimmed glasses eerily similar to the one on her wrist. "No way..."

"Yes way." yn took the phone from Eddies hand and asked to see Richie's tattoo. After a few seconds of scrambling and white noise he held up the small tattoo showing a mascara bottle. In fact it was the mascara bottle yn used to apply the layers and layers of mascara as she always did. She smiled back at Richie and asked for his phone number opening her laptop again so she could put it in her notes.

Eddie watched in silence both happy for his two friends and upset. He was upset that yn ln wasn't the three artistic birds on his wrist no matter how much she walked on her tippy toes like she was about to take flight. No matter how much she wanted to get away, leave with the winds to another town even county far away.

No yn ln was just mascara. Mascara to show she liked having long lashes to flutter at teachers to get her way or at nerdy boys to make them do her bidding.

She wasn't the artistic birds on his wrist that they had discovered meant his soulmate was more of a bird metaphorically than a literally.

The lace on the current dress made her want to scratch her back but she couldn't reach plus three girls and the shop owner were watching.

"I don't know it's just not that comfortable? Plus it's too long I don't know maybe I should give up..." The shop owner rolled her eyes and indicated towards the dressing room as if saying go change then but Beverly grabbed her wrist and pulled her off the small podium she was standing on to model the dress.

"I said when you asked me to be the maid of honor I would find you the perfect dress and I have, the bitch of Wall Street over there just won't let you try it on. Give me two more minutes okay? I can convince anyone you know this." yn looked at Beverly's face for any sign of a lie but found none. The girl seemed to really believe she found the perfect dress for her. And she wasn't wrong when she said she was good at convincing people although her customers were usually male. Still yn nodded and felt Beverly's sigh of relief on her face as the grip on her wrist tightened.

"Okay thanks for trusting me. Take my seat if you can even sit in that-" She waved her wands at the poofy skirt of the dress yn was wearing before continuing "-And chat to Patty and Audra whilst I sort this out." She then stood up and strode over to where the shop owner was watching with an angry look on her face.

"So Audra how's Billy doing with his writing? I heard he nearly finished his first shortstory but was ages ago." yn tried to sit in the seat without damaging the dress which proved to be more difficult than she thought. Audra smiled back and tried to help by holding several layers up while Patty tried to hold back a laugh.

"Oh yes he's done actually! Just waiting to hear back from the publishers but god knows when that will be. Hopefully before you and Richie's wedding so we can get you a lovely present. After hearing what you've both been through you deserve it." yn shook her head politely and picked at the already chipped nail polish on her nails nervously. She liked Bill and Stans girlfriends but often it felt like they were judging her especially after they found about her broken family life. Plus Audra was practically a celebrity.

"Oh you don't have to do that really. And thanks I guess? And Patty how's Stan? Being successful as usual I presume." She ended the sentence with a giggle but Patty didn't seem to find it very funny as she pursed her lips tighter and nodded slightly tapping her fingers on the chair.

"Yes he got that accountant job. The one in the big corporation? I presume Richard is still working on that comedy thing of his?" yn tried to hide how mad she was now by plastering a fake smile on her face and nodding a bit too enthusiastically. She found herself wishing again that she asked the quiet girlfriend of Eddie, Myra, but unfortunately they got together after Richie proposed. By then she had already asked Patty and Audra

"nn! Go check the dressing room I think you'll love it. I promise." Beverly was now beside the girl again pulling her out the seat quickly and ignoring the muttering from the shop owner.

✩

Hen night

"Stop worrying about me darling, Eddie Kaspbark is planning this I hardly think he's going to book strippers and get me so fucking drunk. Although I wouldn't be complaining." Richie was cut off as yn smacked the top of his arm playfully before sitting in his lap and biting her thumb again. "Sorry sorry just being horny. And if you need something to chew on I've got something much bigger under here."

"Beep Beep Rich. And it's not you I'm worried about it's me, no offense. It's just it's Beverly 'drank 20 bottles of vodka and passed out for five days' Marsh hosting mine! What if I end up dead on a bench? You won't even get to see the dress I spent like six hundred dollars on. Plus Audra and Patty will definitely be judging my every move." yn sighed and buried her face on her hands not noticing Richie wrapping his arms around her waist until she was pulled backwards onto the bed.

The sudden movement stopped her worrying and she instead started laughing wildly as Richie started tickling her as well. The sun streamed in their window illuminating the two as they laughed and tried to tickle each other whilst constantly pressing kisses to wherever they saw suit. Foreheads, noses, cheeks and even a few pecks on the lip. Nothing was spared.

"F-For real I need to get ready. Don't die before I get to show off my dance moves with you on that dance floor okay?" He didn't respond only trying to tickle her again as she stood up with shaky legs from laughing and made her way to choose a dress for whatever events Beverly had planned.

✩

The night before

"Would it really be that bad if I saw him tonight? It's not like there's some law saying I can't." yn pouted at her reflection in Beverly's mirror. She saw her best friend laugh and shake her head in the background, also brushing her hair in preparation for the morning. Patty was sitting beside Audra and talking about some party she'd been to a few weeks ago whilst brushing her hair but stopped to give her opinion. After the hen night, tension between her and Patty and Audra had eased. The girls seemed to actually like her now and she could call them her friends.

"There isn't a law but there is traditions. If you break them I heard there's a curse or something."

"Nah a curse wouldn't break them up. However she is right about traditions. You won't get derichdrated from one night without him don't worry love. Plus he's probably too busy fighting with Eds." yn scoffed before picking the brush back up and reluctantly brushing her hair again. Patty went back to her conversation with Audra whilst Myra continued to watch in silence from a pillow on the floor.

"Fine but see if you like it on yours and Ben's wedding. I won't let you forget this." She grumbled and winced when she tugged on the brush too hard in frustration ripping a small clump of hair out. Beverly just laughed and continued trying to fix her messy red curls down to something presentable.

✩

It was two am. All three bridesmaids and Myra were asleep in random places around Beverly's bedroom as yn lay on the bed simply not able to sleep at all. The thought of seeing Richie crossed her mind one last time and she looked around to make sure the other girls were fast asleep before getting off the bed and leaving the room as quiet as she could be.

The hallway of the Marsh/Hanscom House was dark with the only source of light coming from a single window at the end of the hall. yn patted the wall in search of the phone before she came across the object in question. She quickly took it off the hook and squinted so she could see the numbers of her own house hoping the person she wanted to hear from would answer and not a very tired Eddie or Mike.

"Hello?" She sighed in relief as the sleepy voice of her fiancé rang through her ear. She twiddled with the phone cord feeling like a rebellious teenager again as she whispered down the line.

"Ten minutes. The park. Don't be late." The other person grunted in response before the line went quiet. She slammed the phone down in excitement forgetting all about being quiet as she made her way downstairs and slipped on old vans. Beverly left the house key on the table by the door so yn slipped it around her neck before practically skipping down the road towards the park she was supposed to meet the only person she wasn't supposed to see.

✩

A silence that was only interrupted by the occasional sound of fireflies buzzing by the girls ear rang through the park. She sat beside the lake that seemed to be glittering in the moonlight, shivering slightly in the night breeze only wearing her pajamas and vans.

Sometimes a drunk group of young adults would stumble by behind her or a homeless person searching for shelter but besides that yn was left to her thoughts which consisted of hopes and worries for the day to come.

There was the issue of the aisle. They hadn't really decided who would walk her down the aisle instead saying it would become clear once the time came but something at the back of her head was saying she'd probably end up walking alone or with Audra out of misfortune.

Of course there was the slight fear Richie wouldn't say yes but compared to everything else on her mind that was the least likely. If there was anything yn was ever sure of in her life, it was that she loved Richie Tozier since she was thirteen and that he loved her back. It was one of the only things that kept her going when everything else seemed so unclear.

"What's a single woman like you doing out so late? Don't you know it's not safe in Atlanta?" yn smiled down at her hands and didn't look up as someone slid beside her. The person wrapped an arm around her neck and pulled her closer.

"Nah Atlanta is very safe when you've got a boyfriend like mine. In fact I think you'd know him?"

"What's his name?" yn hummed as if she was thinking and moved her gaze from her hands to the lake in front of her, still glittering like a Disney movie.

"Eddie Kaspbrak. He's worldwide famous for singlehandedly inventing germs." Richie let out an actual laugh which wasn't rare when he was with yn but was rare for three twenty two in the morning in a park. yn was almost tempted to turn around and look at him but wanted to keep at least a part of the tradition.

"So I guess I can't look at you then? Bad luck and all that shit." yn nodded before realizing he couldn't see her and saying yes aloud. Richie sighed and she felt his heart beat against her arm as he leaned in closer. "So no kissing either."

"Well..." she could feel herself getting more tempted than before to turn around and look at his big doe eyes and knew if she didn't do something about it she'd break a tradition and Audra would have a heartattack. "We can close our eyes?"

Her eyes fluttered closed immediately afterwards and she turned her head in the direction of Richie's. After a few kisses to the nose or ear by accident they finally figured out where each other's lips were and closed the gap. They only pulled back when they needed air. A couple of drunks whistled from behind and yn giggled not opening her eyes until she stood off the bench, facing the lake again.

"See you in the morning trashmouth. Hopefully you'll attend me and Eds wedding." yn tucked one of the hairs that fell out of her ponytail behind her ear before walking off in an almost daze towards the steps that led back to Beverly's home. She heard Richie whoop behind her and couldn't help but giggle as she imagined him throwing his hands in the air like the usual idiot he was.

✩

The Wedding

"Where is the person leading me down the aisle? Oh my god I finally get bridezilla." yn groaned and swatted Beverly's hands which were attempting to pin another stray hair into yn's bun. Audra laughed and took the pin from Beverly, doing it properly, and stepping back to admire her work.

Her dress was shorter than most wedding dresses and cut off just below her knee. The top was a sweetheart neck with a built in shawl that acted as sleeves. Instead of a belt, several small gold diamonds were sewn into the middle spreading out like a firework although you could only see them all when she twirled. The actual skirt itself flowed around her legs like water with every move she made. Short white shiny heels were strapped onto her feet only adding three inches to her already small height. The makeup was basic only being a bit of gold glitter eyeshadow to match the diamonds sewn into the skirt and a pink lipstick that matched her bouquet. A pearl necklace that belonged to Beverly that was being used as her something borrowed lay on her neck the something borrowed whilst a new charm attached to her bracelet that once belonged to Bills mother was the something old. The dress was of course the something new.

"Actually dear you were quite the opposite of bridezilla. You were unusually calm for a bride. That's probably why they all call you 'Pastel Girl'. Well that and..." Audra pointed down at the pastel pink bridesmaid dress she was wearing. yn giggled and looked in awe at the person in the mirror in front of her. She almost looked like a completely different person, the only indication it was still her being her eyes and dimples.

"Oh my god babe you look amazing." Beverly tried to subtly dab at her wet eyes as she pulled her best friend into a pre wedding hug. The pre wedding hug that ended in all three bridesmaids and bride sobbing in each other's arms. Thank god for waterproof makeup.

A sudden knock on the door caught their attention and Patty passed around tissues as Beverly went to get the door.

"Sorry we're getting dressed an-Bill?" yn looked away from the two girls to the doorway. Bill waved back at her sheepishly as he took in her appearance.

"I'm here to pick you up. For the ai-aisle." yn smiled and ran over to give him a hug, only noticing the other four other boys behind him when she was at the door.

"Mike?? Ben?? Eds? Stan? What are you all doing here aren't you supposed to wait with Richie or something?" They shared a quick look before Bill and Eddie linked arms with her.

"We are all taking you down the aisle. You're basically our sister and Richie's about to be our step brother so we might as well do it right." Mike stated as he linking arms with the other side of Bill. Stan nodded before linking with Eddie. Beverly took a quick glance at Audra and Patty before linking with Mike and nodding at yn.

"If it's walking a sister down the aisle I'm coming too." yn knew she was going to end up crying again as Ben linked with Stans other side and they all smiled at her.

"Together." Audra and Patty seemed to know this was a losers club thing and decided to go join the rest of the guests in the church where Richie was already waiting impatiently.

"Losers for life right guys?" Eddie asked, letting a single tear roll down his cheek that he couldn't wipe away, due to being attached to yn and Stan.

"Forget. Now can someone put my veil on so I can go marry that boy? I think it's about time I did something about that crush of his." The whole group laughed and Beverly unlinked from away Mike for a minute to get a fix yn's long veil on properly. Sure it was a bit crooked since Beverly didn't know much about weddings but nothing about yn's life was perfect so why would her veil? She sneezed as it was thrown over her face and Beverly linked back up with Mike.

✩

The rest of the short walk to the double doors all seven would walk through while linked was filled with jokes about yn and Richie that made her want to hide her red face in her hands but since she was linked with all seven of her best friends the most she could do was look at her heels.

"Look up its time to see the trashmouths reaction to the girl he doesn't deserve." yn shook her head and finally peeled her eyes away from her shoes to face the wooden doors.

"No we deserve each other. We've fought to be together for too long for us to not deserve this. Come on losers I'm getting married." All six nodded, trying to hide their tears, as they took a step towards the doors which opened almost immediately since the doormen had been waiting for a long time.

The tune of here comes to bride began playing from Bills mom Sharon as they took another step onto the aisle. Everyone looked surprised not expecting seven people to appear all red faced and giggly. However Richie looked like he just saw god for the first time as he took in his soon to be wife's dress and smile. She walked up the aisle with the six others not taking her eyes off Richie's Lovestruck face until she felt the other six leave her side. After that she basically ran up the steps and pulled him in for a hug ignoring what the priest was instructing her to do.

Richie hugged her back and when they pulled away he flipped the veil over so he could press a kiss to her lips. The crowd cheered as the priest seemed to want to curse the lot of them.

"IDo."

"DudeSame." 

✩

After they had to start the whole thing again with Bill having to fix yn's veil and then listening to the mass they were pronounced husband and wife and got to kiss for real.

The reception was actually better than the ceremony in yn's opinion. She didn't need to change since the dress was already short and she could move easily. In fact Richie changed instead taking his fancy tux coat off in favor for an old Hawaiian button up he hadn't worn in years.

The cake cutting went perfect with the only noteworthy event being Eddie sneezing extremely loudly and scaring Myra. Then Audra caught the bouquet when yn threw it behind her, receiving many whistles from the losers, including yn, whilst Bill got winks and nudges.

Then the first dance had to happen. Since neither of the pair really cared for romance there playlist was compiled of random songs they enjoyed and the first dance song was just their favorite from the year before.

So they danced not exactly slow and more just laughed to the song 'crazy in love' occasionally nearly falling and having to steady each other because neither gave a fuck what people thought cause "look at us we're married bitches."

Then yn had to dance with each of the losers as Richie did the same with complaints from each loser.

Bill and yn danced to 'First day of my life' and both cried since they ended up actually slow dancing and taking about all of their favorite memories together. The song ended with yn clinging to his shoulder whilst he rubbed back and promised she'd always be his little sister even if Georgie wasn't around.

Then Ben and her swung each in circles to Katy Perry's 'Firework' trying to make the other fall neither succeeding till the song was over and they let go, both falling to the floor and laughing.

Stan and yn basically just spun each other to 'stereo heart' praying the other wouldn't get sick at the end.

Mike and her attempted to slow dance to 'Who says?' but he kept stepping on her toes till he started doing it on purpose just to see her smile and bite her tongue.

Eddie decided the best thing to awkwardly shimmy to was 'never gonna give you up' since they used to call each just to scream the lyrics down the phone obnoxiously before hanging up and then redialing to laugh for ages. However instead of awkwardly shimming it was round 462 of screaming the lyrics before collapsing into a laughing mess on the dance floor. Some of the more formal guests raised an eyebrow and muttered a comment but neither really cared since they felt invincible.

Beverly had changed her song choice last minute from a soppy love song to 'California girls' since it was just two girls throwing it down on the floor. There dance was like a combination of all the others with sobbing, weird dance moves, spinning, yelling and lots of toe standing. The other losers lined up beside each other and took her from Beverly to spin her towards Richie just as the song hit its chorus because they always had a flare for the dramatic. In the end Patty Audra and Myra were dragged up as well to take a group photo of them all laughing just before the song ended.

✩

"Thanks for not getting completely drunk and screwing another girl." yn laughed as she walked with her new husband up the stairs to their hotel room. Beverly was behind hauled up behind with help from Mike and Ben since she was completely out of it and kept whispering stuff about clowns and aliens.

"No bother and I won't screw anyone else." Richie stated as yn unlocked the door of the room. Beverly was being dragged into the room next door and just managed to shout a "you better not Tozier or I'll come at you with a bat asshole!" before Ben shut the door and stopped her from climbing into their bed with them.

"So what do we do now?" yn asked flopping into the bed which wobbled a little as Richie landed beside her.

"Well it's the first night of being married and we are alone. What do you want to do?"

"Jump on this bed. It's really jumpy." Richie propped himself up on his elbow to look at his new wife. She looked like a mess honestly, her hair falling out of the bun from dancing with pins sticking out randomly and clinging to random hairs and makeup running down her face from sweating but after what she just said she couldn't be anymore perfect.

"God I love you." yn giggled as Richie stood up on the bed and pulled her up with him. The pair began jumping up and down and yelling lyrics to any song they could remember clinging to each other occasionally in fear of falling off the edge. Sometimes Beverly would join in on the 'singing' from next door before getting shushed by Ben. They only stopped once the bed creaked so much it felt like it was going to snap in half.

Still they didn't stop giggling and occasionally gasping from a loss of breath till they both fell asleep out of exhaustion from what was the best day of either of their lives.

"Well kiddos we're here!" Zack stated as he pulled into the parking lot. The three teens jumped from the sudden stop and his voice before collecting themselves. Zack turned around and had tears in his eyes. "You all look great."

Bill rolled his eyes and opened the car door. "Don't get all soppy on me Dad it's just prom." Zack waved his hand at his son mumbling something about not crying. Beverly laughed and got out of the car, holding the door open for yn. yn almost stepped out before she heard Zack sniffle. Her heart fell to her pink heels as she reached a hand out to his shoulder.

"Zack?"

"Hmm? Oh yn is something the matter?"

"Don't cry please we'll still be your kiddos." Zach's face broke into a smile and he went to truffle yn's hair. She stopped his hand saying her hair took too long for him to just go ruin it. Instead she went for scheduling best and pulled him in for a tight hug. She could feel the wetness growing on her shoulder but didn't mind since there was a similar patch growing on Zack's. "Don't cry...."

"nn?" Beverly called out to her turned softly. yn pulled away from Zack and gave her friend a shaky smile. Beverly smile back and tilted her head to a growing crowd of rowdy teens. "I hate to ruin the moment babe but Sonia wants photos." yn nodded to show she understood before taking her friends hand. Zack nodded for her to go and Beverly pulled her out of the car gently. Once the door shut yn was pulled into a tight hug by Beverly. She hugged back immediately and heard Beverly sob quietly.

"Let's go Bev." She whispered holding her friend by the forearm and giving her a teary smile. "It's time to leave this dumpster hole behind."

"There's still graduation idiot." Beverly chucked wiping at her wet eyes. yn's face darkened before she regained composure.

"There's still graduation."

✦

"Soooo???" Eddie teased yn as they stopped to get punch. yn rolled her eyes and poured herself some in a red cup. Eddie leaned dramatically into the table ignoring the grumbles from the other seniors.

"So what Eds?"

"So what's the deal with you and Rich?" yn tired to walk away but Eddie pulled her back, tutting. "Come on don't leave me hanging. We all know there's something going on and if anyone deserves to know it's the gay best friend."

yn sighed and tried not to break into a smile as she caught sight of the boy in question. He was currently spinning Beverly around. Their living room routine they called it. "He's just my best friend." She couldn't help but fall into a daze as Eddies voice and the music seemed to turn down. "Just as much as you are Eds."

"You sure about that?" yn nodded her eyes still watching the dark haired boy with an almost lustful look.

"Yeah." Even her voice sounded dazed as she responded. "Hundred percent." Eddie laughed and chugged down the punch that was mostly alcohol at that point. His moms disapproving voice rang through his head as it did anytime he did something slightly rebellious. Still he didn't stop drinking and poured himself another before walking over to Mike, wishing yn the best with her 'little problem.'

Laughter was in the air. Ben was twirling Eddie and yn as Bill attempted to twirl Audra and Beverly. Mike and Richie watched on, Mike taking photos for a secret project and Richie saying chug for no apparent reason. Stan sat by them, mumbling all the worst possible outcomes and covering his eyes with his hands everytime one of the girls nearly tumbled to the floor. It was just as Beverly was spun into a wall and yn almost threw up the dj announced there was only two songs left. A slow dance and a request.

As 'every breath you take' kicked it everyone paired up. Bill and Audra who walked gracefully hand in hand to and empty spot. Ben and Bev who skipped off, giggling and twirling for dramatic effect. Stan and Patty who asked him to dance just before the song. Mike and Betty who just moved at the beginning of senior year. Eddie and Will who both walked to the dance floor like they were on a mission, heads held high and hands in each other's. All that was left was Richie and yn leaning awkwardly against the wall.

"So you didn't bring anyone?" yn asked Richie, swishing her drink around and watching it like it was the most important thing ever. Richie shrugged and pushed up his glasses, one hand in his pocket.

"Nah too much effort. Plus didn't we plan to go together?" yn looked at him in shock before Richie backpedaled. "The losers I mean not me and you. Of course." yn laughed and scratched the back of her neck. She almost spilled her drink by the speed of her movement.

"Well duh." More awkward silence fell over the group. Lori decided to just go for it and slammed her drink onto a nearby table. Richie cleared his throat and they both turned around to face each other.

"Hey Chee do you maybe wanna-"

"So I heard you like to-you can go first."

"No, no you I insist."

"No really I don't mind." yn sighed and mumbled never mind as she picked her drink back up. Ben and Beverly met in a kiss just as the sing hit its climax as most couples did. Lori decided to go home before someone grabbed her arm. For the second time that night.

"Where are you going?" yn knew who it was without turning around. Richie again.

"Home. Why?"

"Oh I was just about to ask you to dance." yn turned around a light blush on her face. Richie himself was surprised he said later as he recalled the events to Eddie. But he wasn't disappointed by her reaction.

"Really?" yn asked her voice higher than normal. Richie nodded and held his hand out for her to take which she gladly obliged. "Like really really?"

"Yeah. But not to this shit music. Ew." yn giggled and looked back up at the boy in front of her. "I may have been planning to ask you to dance all night and put that final request in." yn laughed for real that time and snorted before clasping her hand over her mouth. Richie grinned and looked over to the dance floor. The song was over and people streamed out the door. The final slow dance was done why stay? Beverly and Ben were one of these people bouncing towards the pair, now holding hands a giddy look on their face.

"Hey guys." Ben smiled as the other losers and their partners made their way over. "Ready to go?" Richie shook his head immediately and started to pull yn to the nearly empty dance floor.

"Nah we have one more dance. Hit it dj!" The rather bored looking dj pressed a button on his set up before falling back into his seat. The losers watched in amusement and yn and Richie tried to find a comfortable position. They finally settled on just holding hands and standing facing each other as the sing kicked in.

What's with these homies, dissing my girl? Why do they gotta front? What did we ever do to these guys That made them so violent?

yn grinned and laughed as Richie started swinging her around. She didn't complain though and started singing at the top of her lungs. Richie joined in almost immediately making even more people leave the dance floor.

Woo-hoo, but you know I'm yours Woo-hoo, and I know you're mine Woo-hoo, and that's for all of time

Richie attempted to spin yn but instead sent her flying to the floor. She pulled him down with him and smiled at the boy on top of her. "Get up the chorus!" Richie didn't argue and pulled her up just in time for the chorus to start.

Oo-ee-oo I look just like Buddy Holly

"I look just like Buddy Holly!"  Richie basically screamed getting boos from some of the losers. yn laughed and twirled around. "And you're Mary Tyler Moore!"

Oh-oh, and you're Mary Tyler Moore

"I don't care what they say about us anyway!" They chanted in sync, yn getting sufficiently closer to Richie. Before he could say anything else she tugged in his tie and smashed her lips on his. The losers started whistling and clapping as a chaperone started shoving them out.

I don't care what they say about us anyway

The lights went out by the time yn pulled back, a huge smile on her face. “Come with me. I have a plane ticket and I’m leaving this town behind.” Richie laughed before nodding wildly and yelling yes. yns face broke into the widest smile possible. Richie looked just as happy before the old lady yelled at them to leave before she gave them detention. Richie gave yn a look that meant he had an idea and grabbed her hand. They both ran out the double door of the gym as she chased them saying she'd find them on Monday. Luckily neither were planning to be there for Monday both getting on the same plane and leaving for California. Screw graduation they had bigger plans than Derry. All that was left now was to tell the losers

The boy who had previously clung to his mams leg was now sitting just inside the gate with a pout on his face and tears in his eyes. yn gave him a small wave before her focus turned to three girls playing hopscotch while one sat by and watched. She looked a bit bored and caught yn watching her. She waved at her happily and yn almost skipped over to play until a happy scream came from the other side of the playground. Boys were chasing after girls while they screamed and laughed. Others were clinging to a climbing frame and pulling faces at each other as kids slid up and down a slide nearby. yn nearly exploded with excitement as she saw two empty swings near to the slide for her to sit on and make friends. She gave the bored ginger a last wave before turning to run to the other side.

Unfortunately, she turned right into someone else and fell to the ground landing on her knee and crying out in pain. The boy by the gate gasped loudly and gagged as he noticed the small trickle of blood coming out of her knee. Her eyes began to fill with tears before someone hand was stuck in her view and she looked up.

"I'm sorry I thought I was late cos I can't tell time and I guess I didn't see you oops. Are you okay? Your leg is red and disgusting now." The voice came from the person who she ran into which turned out to be a scrawny young boy with big brown eyes and dark messy hair. He was wearing an oversized blue button up lazily thrown over a cream t shirt, the same color as yn's shoes. She took his hand and he pulled her up almost dropping her to the floor again when she sneezed.

"Sorry, I'm allergic to grass. My mom calls it hay fever but I don't. And I guess a little blood never hurt anyone." yn flashed the boy a toothy grin which he returned. The boy at the gate gagged again and yn heard the girls from hopscotch teasing him before the girl who was watching them told them to be quiet.

"What's your name?"

"Oh, I'm yn ln. What's yours?" He shook her hand he was already holding which confused yn so much she stopped smiling.

"I'm Richie. Richie Tozier." She smiled again and let go of his hand and wiped her own on her ice cream patterned dress just in case he had the cooties her dad told her about.

"Chee Toaster?" He laughed and shook his head causing his curls to bounce. She shook her head back and crossed her arms. He looked pleasantly surprised when she replied in her cute childish voice.

"No, I'm calling you Chee. Now, do you want to swing on the swings?" He nodded and the slightly aggressive way they met was forgotten as they linked arms and ran across the playground. The swing set was in the shade behind an oak tree beside the slide but no one was on the slide anymore. Still, they kept running until they landed by the swing set and quickly hopped on kicking their legs to go higher and higher. They easily making friends like most five-year-olds do.

SEVENTEEN YEARS LATER

yn Tozier found out she was pregnant at twenty two. Married, happy and long forgotten were the horrors of her past meaning she was overjoyed.

In fact her only problem was how to tell her husband in the most flamboyant way. After all the Toziers weren't known to do things normally. Richie proposed on their graduation day in front of the whole school whilst everyone sobbed after all.

So on March 7th 1998, her husbands twenty second birthday, she decided to execute her plan that was boiling in her head for months.

First she called up her long time best friend and practically sister Beverly Marsh and told her the news. After much squealing between the two, yn explained her plan and Beverly agreed saying they had to do it.

Three squealed phone calls and two where she sobbed with Bill and Eddie the plan was ready. All she had to do now was wait. Which in itself was hard since her bump was beginning to show. Richie asked why she was no longer wearing her favorite skirts or t shirts in favor for her oversized sweaters and tracksuit bottoms receiving panicked and random responses most of the time.

"Hey nn? Why aren't you wearing your skirts anymore? It's literally thirty two degrees out?"

"I'm allergic to the material."

"You're allergic...to the material?"

"Yup. But only for a few months ha ha oops okay bye I have to go to work."

Richie was getting suspicious. She was dodging many question instead giving him food and taking more private calls than any kindergarten teacher should ever take. One time he found her crying on the floor surrounded by tissues saying something like "am I just like her?" When Richie asked who she had quickly stood up and wiped her eyes saying she had to go to work even though it was eleven pm at night. yn was never the best at lying. So on the night before his birthday he sat her down on the couch and asked the question burning at the back of his head for weeks.

"Are you cheating on me?" When yn's eyes widened and she didn't answer instead staring back with saucer eyes and a mouth wide open Richie presumed his assumptions were correct. He sighed and stood up running his hands through his forever messy hair. Lori started to stutter trying to think of an excuse but none came to mind.

"You know what? It's fine, I'm fine. I knew this would happen since you're so much better than me anyway I just thought seventeen years would have meant something you know?"

"Rich it's no-"

"No! No! It's fine just let me finish I mean kindergarten wow has it actually been seventeen years? How haven't you changed?"

"Chee look at m-"

"No yn you look at m-"

"I'm Pregnant!" yn yelled standing up off their small couch and clamping her hand over her mouth like she just said the worst thing ever. Richie stopped and looked at the girl who had tried to wear one of her old skirts and t shirts to try and throw him off. If he squinted in the light he could just about make about the small bump growing on her stomach.

yn felt her eyes begin to tear up at Richie's shocked expression. Maybe she was wrong maybe he didn't want kids and just wanted the Hollywood life he was working on. Maybe he would leave her alone with their child to bring them up like her own mom. Maybe she was right about her assumptions that she was just like her.

However after twenty seconds of silence Richie scooped the girl up bridal style and spun her around the room screaming. yn began to giggle and cling on to his T-shirt so she wouldn't fall. Tears spilled down her cheeks as she did so glad her husband wasn't actually kissed and more just shocked.

He eventually put her down after a cute peck on the lips you usually wouldn't see from Richie who was ever the passionate. Once yn had two feet planted firmly to the ground he dashed to ring his closest friend Stan and tell him the news. yn didn't bother telling him she already told everyone instead happy she could take the skirt uncomfortable rubbing against her growing stomach that contained a child. Her child. Their child.

Seven Months Later

Beverly wiped the sweat off her brow with a wet towel her boyfriend Ben had brought along. Ben was tapping the uncomfortable hospital waiting room seats and glancing at the hall for the nurse every so often. Eddie sat on her other side muttering about the dangers of pregnancy whilst also sneaking hopeful glances down the bleached corridor. Bill was across from him leaning forward with his hands over his mouth and leg bouncing. If anyone he had been most excited and Beverly hoped they would be just as excited once the baby came. Stan was rubbing Bills back and checking his watch, having to leave in two hours. yn had already been in labor for six hours so he had a pretty good chance but there was still that twinge of worry telling him he'd miss everything. Mike was on Bills left staring straightforward and breathing heavily. No one had spoken a word in a half an hour, tired and impatient.

Suddenly there was a yell of excitement from down the hallways, causing them all to sit up. Richie busted out the room yn was in with a nurse yelling at him saying he had to wait a minute before he said anything. Beverly stood up, now aware of her eye filling with tears as he ran towards their group making other patients jolt awake.

"It's a girl! I gave birth to a girl! That was some work lemme tell you, my hand is so sore!" No one bothered to correct Richie instead yelling and pulling each other into celebratory hugs. He looked a mix of exhausted and the happiest Beverly had ever seen him as he threw his arms around a sobbing Bill.

"What's her name?" Eddie asked once the group calmed down just enough for them to hear each other clearly. Richie's eyes widened and he ran back to the room where the nurse was still yelling. Beverly would have face palmed at the fact he forgot to name his own daughter if it wasn't for the fact he had his own daughter. She was an aunt! Sort of not really but still!!!

Ben pulled her in for a hug and she was made aware of the many tears on both her boyfriends and best friends faces. She wiped at her own before smiling at her best friends and pushing her copper curls back. They pulled each other into a group hug until there was another whoop from down the hall that caused them all to pull apart and grip on each other's shoulders.

"Harmony-Rose middle name Georgia! And last name motherfucking Tozier! Get your asses down here!"

"Sir no we can't allow that right now-"

"Come On!"

"Sir you're wife needs rest-"

"Bring The Bitches Down! They Need To Meet The Newest Loser!"

The nurse gave an exasperated sigh before mumbling an okay. The door opened slowly as if saying they could come in. After more excited yells and tears that received both looks of admiration and eye rolls from the other patients they ran down the hall, Stan nearly running into a tray of needles and screaming in agony instead of pride.

Bill got in first before Beverly squeezed past Eddie. She nearly cried again once she saw her best friend sitting up in the hospital bed her hair messed up and eyes tired holding a small bundle of blankets. Richie was sitting in a chair beside her leaning onto the bed so he could both see his daughter and hold his wife's hand.

yn smiled tiredly at the six surrounding her bed before turning the bundle towards them so they could see their new shared child. The little girl blinked back at them with big ec eyes like her mom and slight black hair like her dad. Beverly felt Ben and Bill both squeeze her hand only one letting out a small sob as Harmony Rose was handed towards him.

"Here Billy your new niece and goddaughter. I hope you like her middle name it's for the both of us." Bill nodded and took the baby in his arms once the nurse showed him how to. He sat on the bed and waved down at his goddaughter with wet eyes slightly shaking as yn apologized to the other five boys about him being godfather. Richie said he considered them all top daddies before receiving a tired slap from his wife.

Beverly had handed the baby next learning she was the godmother and aunt of the now sleeping baby in her arms. yn rubbed her back as she rocked her slightly promising she would be the coolest aunt ever.

Ben was next explaining how he already bought tons of clothes for both gender and had them in the trunk of his car telling Beverly to remind them to get them before they left.

Then it was Eddie who happily took the girl and rocked her. He decided she was both the cleanest and dirtiest thing he ever held before getting a snicker from both mother and father and complaints for calling her thing from the others.

Mike begged to be next and sat down beside yn, talking to the other girl who's eyes were now opening again. He told her how he would have her both the most polite and ripped girl in her kindergarten receiving a quiet whoop from the group afraid to do their usual loud chanting in case she cried.

Stan was last and he cried again once the girl wrapped her hand around his finger and cooed which made the whole group gasp never having heard such an innocent noise before. Once he had wiped his eyes and apologized to Harmony Rose for the bad manners he went to hand her back to yn only to find both her and Richie asleep. Hands intertwined of course. They usually were. They both looked completely exhausted and so happy no one wanted to wake them up.

So instead with permission from the nurse Ben lay the girl in the cot provided by the hospital and Eddie rocked her to sleep saying he was good at that. Apparently he was because after only three minutes of rocking and whispered hushes Harmony-Rose was out cold.

The six remaining awake losers sat on the floor legs crossed and smiles on their faces. Heads were leaning in heads and hands were on hands. Beverly and Ben even had their linked crossed a slight promise to have their own kids when they were ready whenever that was. The nurse came back in to send them all out but took pity on the happy kids

"You know she's going to be moved to a room shared with three other new mothers tomorrow. I don't know how all seven of you will fit in at the same time." She spoke in a hushed voice taking blankets from the floor to send to the washing room. No one moved and Beverly spoke.

"Seven? Nah there's eight of us." She smiled at the yn who looked ten years older in front of her. Still she had the same smile on her face that she always had and her gown was covered in stickers showing Beverly she had matured, not changed. Richie even looked older, bags under his eyes that usually looked so young. Her eyes slid over to the cot containing her new goddaughter and she smiled wider. "Nine. There's nine of us."

"Nine. You all seem so close so it will be hard to split up to see yn and Harmony-Rose." Beverly finally noticed her friends all sleeping around her the only one mildly awake being Mike who was also blinking asleep. She shook her head before leaning onto Eddie muttering slightly in his sleep beside her.

"We'll figure something out. Always do."

5 years later....

yn held onto her daughters hand as she skipped down the road between her two parents humming. She had a small galaxy bag on her back that hit off her back with every jump reminding yn of herself. Unlike her however thick curls held back with only a small purple clip bounced around her face and tickled her nose. In fact aside from her piercing ec eyes and thumb biting the girl was one hundred percent Richies. From her hair to loud personality tendency to make a mess and annoy Eddie. Even the faces she pulled sometimes reminded yn of her husband.

"Here we are Rosie. Are you ready?" Harmony Rose let go of both of her parents hands and shrugged before turning to run in the gate. If yn didnt gently take her wrist and pull her back she would have left without a second glance. Richie smiled at his favorite people as yn scooped the girl into her arms and went over the rules.

"And no running into annoying boys okay? And if you do run away. Nothing good ever comes from it." Harmony Rose nodded wiggling to get out of her moms glance. Richie scoffed and threw his arm around his wife's waist.

"No if you run into a quiet girl run away. Don't ask her name it's a trap." yn elbowed Richie and gently let Harmony-Rose back down. She blinked back at her parents elbowing each other like kids before sighing and skipping through the gate. She waved back at her parents and took a quick scan of the area eyes lighting up at the sight of an empty swing set.

A young girl clung to her moms leg and cried as her mom tried to calmly get her off. A small group of girls skipped together one looking slightly more bored than the others. A group of boys and girls ran each other in a extreme version of tag. A young boy with blonde parted hair was sent to the ground as Harmony-Rose turned and ran into him. yn smiled as Harmony-Rose helped him up, a small smile on her face.

"Weird isn't it?" She asked once the initial weirdness wore off. Richie shrugged and pulled her closer not taking his eyes off his daughter running off to the swing with the boy in her hand.

"Nah I think it would be weirder if she didn't get a soppy love story." yn smiled and put her hand up to touch her husbands arm. She drew circles on it softly a feeling of peace washing over her.

"Let's hope her life is less chaotic and more soppy then." Richie nodded and the trees behind them rustled sending a gust of wind to blow yn's ice cream patterned dress around her legs. Her cream shoes on her feet seemed to remind her of something she couldn't quite place the hair clip holding her hl hc hair back also seeming rather reminiscent.

"So we're bringing him over for dinner?"'

"Oh yeah. And Mike just texted me saying him and Stan will drop by later so he's already meeting two of her uncles." yn's fingers curled up against the blue button up Richie decided to wear that day and she smiled.

After he heard what seemed like footsteps the door opened just enough for him to see a sad bloodshot eye looking back at him from the darkness. Once the eye recognized him they opened the door further revealing a small girl with messy hair and tears rolling down her cheeks looking back at him. "I'm sorry I just..."

"Are you okay?" Richie interrupted unable to hear her mutterings and thinking she hadn't said anything. She shrugged still holding the door in one of her hands sniffing a bit as another tear rolled down her cheek.

"I don't know I just had a nightmare." From the way she seemed to be slightly shaking and how her t-shirt seemed to be slightly torn at the bottom. So he did what his mom used to do when he had a nightmare.

"Do you want to talk about it?"

φ

"And then he pulled me down just like we had when I was fifteen only this time the door didn't bust open revealing my friend. This time he got to do what he was planning on doing." yn explained to Richie who was sitting legs crossed on her couch drinking coffee the girl made for him.

"And then once he did what he wanted to do I felt so empty." Her eyes pricked with tears as she tried to explain further her voice getting caught in her throat. Richie didn't say anything knowing she had to get it out before she could fully relax. "I felt so empty."

She was sobbing then Richie putting the mug onto her coffee table to pull her in for a hug. The girl didn't pull away as he rubbed her hair gently and shushed her. The moonlight that was coming into her living room from the doors that led to her balcony, seemed to shimmer around the two being the only light in her pitch black apartment. Hers seemed even darker than his, even if it was clear hers was more expensive.

"It's okay. Look at me it's okay. He didn't get that far you were saved and he'll never get that far." (yn) shook her head pulling away from his embrace so he could see her blue eyes clearly.

"But what if he comes here? What if he finds me again? He swore he'd find me." Richie shook his head brushing her blonde hair out of the way of her tears. She looked into him letting out a shaky breath as he wiped away some of her tears with his thumb.

"He won't. I won't let him." The girl seemed to stop shaking and sunk back onto her heels. She smiled a tiny bit fiddling with the hem of her T-shirt a bit as she did.

"Thank you neighbor. More coffee? That must be cold by now." Richie shrugged pulling away so he wasn't so close to the girl. She picked up the mug he had been drinking from making her way to the kitchen and flicking the light on as she did. "You can come over whenever you want. Truth is there's a spare key under the little mat I have outside."

Richie nodded in understanding watching her add sugar to his new brew. Her hair was still messy from tossing and turning but even so it fell over her shoulders and framed her face perfectly. Sure her eyes were still bloodshot and wet but he could see how pretty they were from the way the kitchen light hit it. And when she sat back down handing him the mug and crossing her legs a small smile on her lips he nodded to himself.

Beverly ignored the grumbles from the short boy and rubbed her hands together declaring it was her turn to open something. Soon enough everyone except yn had opened a gift. Bill got a pretty new sketchbook with expensive looking pencils and watercolors clearly given to him from Stan if the handwriting was anything to judge by. Ben received a new kids on the block album he didn't have and a pretty framed picture of him and Beverly. It wasn't quite clear who gave it to him but yn had her suspicions it was Eddie due to his awkward wiggling as Ben tore the paper open. Eddie himself of course had the 'Christmas inhaler' from Beverly that yn had helped decorate. What Eddie didn't know was Beverly was also hiding a fanny pack for him for later she just didn't want him to get all soppy on her in front of the others. Beverly was given a small pile of chocolates, a gold bracelet and a new chain for her key. yn didn't have to guess who got it for the redhead since it was her. Mike had gotten a farming handbook and Polaroids from his recent photography phase. Bill himself had blurted to yn he got Mike weeks ago meaning she only smiled and shrugged when Mike asked her if she knew. Stan had been bought an entirely new camera and updated bird book. yn didn't really know who who given the curly haired boy such a meaningful gift but from the pretty wrapping paper alone she had her money on Ben. Richie had been given a gift that the buyer would surely regret. A blow horn, joke handbook and a new Hawaiian button up. yn saw Mike physically cringe when Richie told a joke making yn giggle at the irony. After all wasn't it Mike who had given the boy the gift?

Bill strode over to the tree and picked up the last gift. A small rectangular shaped object wrapped in shiny light blue paper. It had her name written on it but in such weird handwriting that it almost seemed like the person was trying to hide their identity. yn chuckled and smiled at her friends. Each of them urged her to open it, Beverly even saying she'd do it herself if yn didn't. So rather slowly she began tearing the wrapping paper, starting from the side.

At first her present seemed like just a notebook and she smiled despite knowing she had a pile of empty notebooks at home. Then the paper ripped more revealing pretty painted wooden letters spelling out 'the losers club'. The girl gasped and quickly tore the rest of the paper off in a moment of giddy ness. Then her hand flew to her mouth as she gasped. The rest of the losers crowded around to see what the girl had been so taken back by only to gasp or make some noise too.

In front of them was a pastel pink notebook yes. But the wooden letters that spelt 'The Losers Club' were painted white and had each of their names in it. In the middle was a picture Mrs Denbrough had taken in 1990 of all eight standing by the quarry, arms around arms and faces beaming. "Holy fuck that's adorable. Open the first page nn I want to see what this is about!" Beverly begged her friend, her green-grey eyes gleaming as her they glided across the cover.

yn didn't fight back and instead opened the first page. Tears already flooded her eyes a picture of the original five was stuck to the inside. They were dressed as members of the Scooby gang with Georgie joining them to be Scooby Doo himself. The picture was captioned with 'Making new friends never meant losing old ones to you. 1883-∞'. The impact was only worsened seeing Georgie's face smiling up at him since he disappeared a little over three years ago. yn stroked the picture as a tear fell off of her face and onto the page.

No one spoke as the girl went from page to page, taking her time to take everything in. There was pictures of her with everyone. A picture of her and Beverly blowing kisses to the camera with their arms linked captioned 'True friends aren’t the ones who've always been there. It's the ones that come and say "Hey I love you" and prove it'. Several of her and Bill though the years with captions a mixture of 'someday you'll thank yourself for not giving up' and 'here's to the months that turned into years and friends that turned into family'. A dozen of her and Mike at his farm with different animals each time. Mikes favorite was the one ynwas laughing as a mischievous sheep rammed her back and he was laughing more than her as he tried to steady her. Loads with Ben but her favorite being one at the river taken from the back where she had her arms in the air as he pointed at her laughing. New kids on the block was a crazy drug according to the caption. She couldn't count the amount with Eddie on both hands. Eddie had began to cry when he saw a photo the night he told yn about his dirty little secret. He remembered Beverly taking it as his eyes stung and his face was blotchy. The camera flash hurt his eyes. Yet he didn't feel sad during that photo since yn had a tight grip around his neck and was holding his hand with her other hand with such comfort he couldn't possibly feel uncomfortable. yn was crying too, her face covered in streaks and clothes wet yet she was smiling. Pride Eddie decided it was as he nuzzled his nose on yns shoulder. The girl patted his head reassuringly before flipping to the next page.

A picture of her and Stan as they sat in his bird watching tree. It was taken from below meaning you could see their dangling legs and hair blowing behind yn much better than Stans or hers faces. Yet there was something about the way yn had her legs kicking out and Stan was steadying her back you could tell neither minded. Especially since the photo on the other page was still taken from below only behind too. The sun was beginning to set and yn had dozed off on Stans shoulder. He was making sure she didn't fall with one arm whilst the other was holding up his binoculars. yn choked on her tears and Stan barely held back his own. Pages and pages covered in more photos each meaning a lot to someone or everyone. Beverly and her holding hands and eating ice cream during the summer. Bill, Beverly and her lying in a row tanning as Stan set upright at the end scouting for birds. Mike, Richie and yn having a bike race as Eddie ran after them, clutching an inhaler. The whole group laughing so hard they were crying in Bills room during a rainy October. Even Georgie was there usually accompanied by a younger looking Bill and yn as they all grinned at the camera, teeth missing and innocence gleaming in their eyes. It was all there and it was yns.

She finally flicked to the last page. A collage of her and Richie every year since they were five in kindergarten. Each year they were in a different pose and wearing different clothes but they still always smiled and stood in the same spot. yn closed the notebook and hugged it to her chest as she sobbed. The losers pulled her into a group hug rubbing their eyes and noses on each other's shoulders and promising to always love each other.

• 

Night had fallen completely over Derry. The electric clock on Bill's bedside table told yn it was 3:15 am as she flicked to the another page with Eddie. He looked concentrated as he braided her hair into daises. She was rereading her secret santa again, tracing each page and wiping her wet eyes, perched on Bills windowsill as to use the moonlight to be able to see. Behind her was a mess. Wrapping paper no one was bothered to tidy up after their emotional evening, bits of ribbon and glitter everywhere. On Bill's bed was Bill himself lying with his legs over Stans chest as Ben curled up on his pillow like a kitten. Eddie and Mike lay on the same blanket though Eddie kept twisting and kicking Mike in his sleep making him grunt. Beverly has chosen a whole spot for herself before Richie invaded it bringing a huge fluffy blanket and pillows by the Christmas tree. yn was lying with them at one point but then gave up since Beverly kept kicking Richie and calling him a useless yo-yo. The windowsill was much more beautiful and peaceful anyway.

Just as she flicked to a picture of her Richie and Bev who were both holding up middle fingers as she scolded them the floorboard behind her creaked. The girl squeaked before relaxing when she recognized Richie. She smiled softly at him before turning back to the book, stroking the picture gently. "Hey" Richie whispered sitting under the windowsill.

"Hey." yn replied back reaching one hand down to stroke his curls as she continued to flick through the book. They sat in silence for awhile, the only noise being Eddies breathing and the occasional page turning. yn tried to subtly sniff and hide her tears knowing Richie would probably tease her about it. It was only when she got to the collage of her and him she choked up more and he noticed. "Sorry if I seem like a baby." The girl told him wiping at her face and coughing slightly. "I guess I am a baby anyway."

Richie blinked in shock before sitting on his knees. yn looked down at him and sniffed, hoping he wouldn't notice the mess she currently was. "You're not a baby," Richie promised. yn scoffed and kept sniffling. Richie sighed and stood over her. The girl looked up and his eyes met hers. "You're the strongest person I know".

"Well that's a fat lie." yn laughed aloud before remembering the others were sleeping.

"What do you mean?"

"You know yourself so how can I be the strongest? Anyway it doesn't matter I just want to know who made me the scrapbook." Richie laughed and yn moved over so he could squeeze beside her on the windowsill. She lay her head on his chest and closed her eyes listening to his heart. Richie rubbed her hair gently. "Hey Chee?" Richie hummed in a reply and yn yawned "who did you get for secret santa?"

Richie paused before replying. "Beverly. Thank god she liked it she probably would kill me if she didn't." yn froze before pulling away. Richie blinked before yn leaned in. Next thing he knew the girl was on his lap, his hands were in her hair and her lips were on his. Neither complained of course since they had a massive crush on each other since they were fourteen. yn pulled back after a minute or so, red cheeked and out of breath. Richie lay his head on hers and pulled her close. "W-Why?"

"Well you don't want to get wet do you?" Richie shook his head holding a hand above his eyes so the rain would stop hitting his glasses. "So why don't we run?" 

Before he could tell her what an awful idea that was she took off running, pulling him behind her. Her face was already soaked, the rain being more heavy than they originally thought but the girl was still giggling happily. Richie on the other hand was complaining saying if she got sick it wasn't his fault.                                                                                                                                                            However once he saw yn giggling as drops of rain hit her eyes or jumping slightly if a puddle came in her way he couldn't help but smile admiring how she seemed to turn everything into a game.                                                                  

 Soon enough he too was jumping and laughing even picking up (yn) and swinging her around, feeling so giggly from the weather. Then the streets got more busy than the small lane the restaurant was on but that didn't stop them zigzagging around people and laughing if someone told them they were being immature. Richie even tried to give one the middle finger before (yn) slapped his hand down and apologized sending Richie a half hearted glare.

☉

Once in the dryness of their apartment yn finally realized how wet she was from her soaked hair like rats tails and dress clinging to her like it was part of her body. She began to shiver only realizing she was also freezing at the exact same time. "Told you." 

“Oh shush Mr Spin-Me-Around." yn remarked digging through her dresser to find a wooly pair of pajamas. Richie laughed from the kitchen where was making them hot chocolate.

"I didn't drop you though. So that's an accomplishment." yn rolled her eyes, unzipping her dress and throwing the pajamas she had decided on over her instead. Still her wet hair hit her back and face uncomfortably and she felt too tired to blow dry it herself. 

 "Richhhhh?"                                                                                                           

 "Yesssss?"                                                                                                             

"Can you blow dry my hair?" Richie appeared in the doorway holding a cup of hot chocolate with whipped cream and sprinkles towards the girl batting her eyelashes on the floor.

"What?" yn took a sip of the drink letting out a small "ah" as the warm liquid ran down her neck before looking back at her boyfriend and pouting.                   

 "Please? Just this once can you blowdry my hair I won't be able to sleep with my hair like this but I'm so tired." Richie rolled his eyes and sat on their double bed.

"Only if you give me a blowj-"                                                                                 

"Wow there bucko I'm going to stop you there. I'll give you a blowdry and kiss if you do." She sat on their bed feeling his fingers run through her hair as the hot air hit her scalp making her shiver from the feel. Richie stopped complaining once she promised and even began to enjoy it once she sighed happily leaning more towards the heat he was controlling

Next it was his turn which took much less time than (yn)'s who only had to stand over him with the device for five minutes since she was smaller. She didn't complain however since she had promised him she would do it if he did it for her and actually got very into it, sticking her tongue out as she brushed his hair down and held the dryer as the same time.

Once he was done Lori turned the machine off and landed on the bed beside him, legs crossed, with a small oof. Richie turned to her a smile on his face as he spoke. "Didn't you promise something else too love?"                                      

yn rolled her eyes before pressing a quick peck to his lips and falling back onto the bed her head hitting on the pillow. "Sorry if that was rubbish I'm wrecked."     

 Richie fell beside her his own head hitting the other pillow as he did. "Nah you're never rubbish. I like the word shitty better." yn smacked him playfully before climbing under the duvet her eyes already beginning to close once she was under the covers. Richie did the same and feeling his girlfriends back against his his own eyes began to close.                                                               

"Rich?"                                                                                                                   

"Hmmm?"